Zaro Aventine watched as General Trevor interrogated the ex-officials of Helsia. Despite the continuous torture and slashing of whoever refused to cooperate, the young King didn't even flinch.
"Your Majesty, it seems like it's not the doing of those ex-officials," Derin who stood a step behind the King spoke up. "They already suffered a lot. If they know something, they will already speak."
The King glanced around and through one opened window, he noticed that it will be dark soon. Eyeing Derin, he commanded, "The sun will set soon. Go and check the status of the prison guards. If they still don't find King Rozalez, you know what to do."
With that said, Derin bowed and left to comply with the King's order.
Zaro Aventine stared at the interrogation scene for a while before he turned his back at it.. He walked back to the chamber he used for working and quietly sat on the couch near the window.
Who did this?
This was the question that occupied all his mind.
If he don't solve this mess soon, he knew that it will be the same as brewing trouble for himself and Jerivia.
Zaro turned to the door when he heard the sound of a footstep that approached him. He noticed that it was his wife.
"You don't even eat all day," Athena pointed out and placed a bowl that contained a drink on the small table before him. "Have some. It will give you energy."
Without saying anything, Zaro Aventine lifted the bowl and drank it.
The Queen also heard what happened and how her husband was struggling to find King Rozalez. Though she was unsure of what to say, she quietly sat down opposite her husband who stared out of the window, concentrating on his thoughts.
The bad feeling she had before they leave Jerivia still bothered her but... she never once mentioned it to him.
He seemed like a different person these days.
"Zaro," she finally called out, making him shift his attention to her.
Her husband looked at her as if he was amazed to see that she was still there.
Well, that must really be the case. He was too invested in his thoughts.
"Athena, you're still here," he muttered in a low voice. "Why don't you rest? It's not even time for dinner yet and you're not feeling well."
"I'm fine now," the Queen responded. "I think you need rest much more than I did, My King."
"I still have many things to settle," Zaro Aventine said. "I can't rest for now."
"Then... will you join me for dinner later?" Athena asked. "You don't eat anything for the whole day. I'm worried."
Zaro Aventine gave a thought and nodded. "Alright. I'll join you."
With that said, the Queen walked out of the chamber.
Now that he was alone again, all the King could think was the rescuing of King Rozalez. Now, he truly regretted delaying the execution of the fallen King. If he killed him sooner, this won't happened at all.
A few more minutes passed when Derin walked inside. The guard halted a few steps away and bowed.
"The guards failed to find King Rozalez, Your Majesty. I did as you ordered," he reported to the King.
"Select some soldiers to continue the search. They must search the whole kingdom without missing any places," Zaro Aventine commanded and asked, "Did you tighten the security on the capital and city gates?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I already sent out the order for that. Actions will already be taken on the cities where the letter reach. However, some cities need two or three days to reach. So, those will need time."
The young King nodded. "We must make sure to corner them so that they can't move anywhere. If they managed to leave Helsia, then it will be over." He paused and added, "Also make sure that the news doesn't get out. If the people heard about this, it will only bring us trouble."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
*
As he promised, Zaro had dinner with his wife in the huge dining room of the palace. However, it was an awkwardly silent dinner.
Even while eating with his wife, the whereabouts of King Rozalez was still the only thing that occupied his whole mind.
He didn't even eat much. Rather than eating, it seemed like he was there to sit. He held his spoon all the time but it rarely reached his mouth.
Once again, Athena struggled to say something. Even during their time as friends, he rarely behaved this way and instead, he was always an attentive friend. But now...
They were husband and wife.
Though Zaro didn't reciprocate her feelings, he always tried his best to be a good husband.
Before their marriage, Athena knew that she was taking a huge risk. However, she forced herself to believe that everything will work out.
The current situation made her realize one thing.
The difference between a marriage with and without love.
If there was love, she believed that they will discuss and overcome all hardships together but... without love, it's impossible.
She felt like this was an empty marriage.
Was she making the wrong decision?
"Zaro," she called out and just like before, he finally shifted his attention to her.
"I wonder if I should return to Jerivia if you're okay with it," she said to him.
Hearing her out, her husband raised a brow. "Why? We've only been here for a few days and you're not even feeling well."
"I think the weather and atmosphere here are not for me. I'm not feeling well since we arrive here," Athena stated, trying to sound as convincible as she could.
"Won't it be boring if you return? You will be alone in the huge palace," Zaro Aventine pointed out.
Didn't he know that it's the same here?
Well, at Jerivia, she can still meet with the ladies of her age and chat with them. She will be less lonely there.
"It's fine. I will help the Prime Minister in the administration and I think I'll be of better help that way," she calmly said to the King.
Zaro Aventine thought about it before he reluctantly nodded. "When will you leave then?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"That soon?"
"I said that the weather here doesn't go down well with me."
Zaro observed her again as if he doubted her. However, he eventually relented. "Fine then. I will tell Derin to make arrangements."
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